Rating: 
Summary: I lost money because of this "author"
Review: The university Dr Bear thought tops in its category has been denounced in the press recently as a diploma mill.I once lost over $5000USD to graduate from a University he recommended. I later discovered that the author was running the University himself with a $10 permit from Hawaii. The school was a sham, an invention. My calls went unanswered. I lost 5000 bucks. Beware. Go to a real college.
Rating: 
Summary: The Best Book on Non-Traditional Education, Bar None
Review: This book has helped thousands of people, including me, attain educational goals they never thought possible. I dropped out of traditional college my first semester to join the Army, and I never would have completed college without the guidance from this book. In addition to an exhaustive list of both accredited and non-accredited schools, the book lists sources of gaining credit by non-traditional means (correspondence courses, life experience, exams, etc.), and chapters on schools to avoid (degree mills), honarary degrees, titles, and much more. Anyone who disparages this book is either a graduate of a "less-than-wonderful" school with an axe to grind, or a hopeless traditionalist desperately clinging to the old way of doing things. Dr. Bear should be commended for his good work
Rating:
Summary: Excellent referrence on distant and not so distant learning.
Review: This book has most of the information I was looking for regarding distant learning. It also goes to tell you what to watch out for, names of degree mills, etc. The main reason I needed a book of this nature was because I'd like to increase the speed at which I attain a degree at my local university. They do not offer a good summer selection, and since I work full time, going to summer school is out of the question. I bought this book so that I could take a correspondence class at an accredited school. This way I can continue learning even on summer vacation. The book also goes into detail on how you could practically get your degree through the mail. If you are working on your undergraduate degree, I think this is a great idea. As far as getting your masters, I personally would rather attend a respectable university. Perhaps get most of your credits through distant learning, than transfer all of the credits to a respectable university and get your actual degree from there. Good luck.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding coverage of international programs
Review: This book is an essential reference work -- far more comprehensive than the others I've seen -- and it's the ONLY book from an American publisher to provide good coverage of overseas programs (University of London, University of South Africa, etc.), many of which are better and/or more innovative than those in the U.S. I strongly recommend this book for libraries, personnel offices, and individuals interested in distance education.
Rating:
Summary: Bear's Guide used by many governments
Review: This is an excellent book. It informs you all the in's and out's on obtaining a legitimate, fully recognized degree. It's perfect for people working f/t especially for those who have a family to raise. I'd say this is quite possibly the best "bible" on distance learing one can obtain. The Oregon Commsission on higher education uses it to filter degree mills and other discredible sources. One must be careful though, the author seems to have many "enemies" who tries hard to ruin the reputation of the author. But I guess that's what one gets for appearing on National TV and working for the FBI to raid all the degree mill scams. An excellent read!
Rating:
Summary: Bear's Guide used by many governments
Review: This is an excellent book. It informs you all the in's and out's on obtaining a legitimate, fully recognized degree. It's perfect for people working f/t especially for those who have a family to raise. I'd say this is quite possibly the best "bible" on distance learing one can obtain. The Oregon Commsission on higher education uses it to filter degree mills and other discredible sources. One must be careful though, the author seems to have many "enemies" who tries hard to ruin the reputation of the author. But I guess that's what one gets for appearing on National TV and working for the FBI to raid all the degree mill scams. An excellent read!
Rating: 
Summary: Loads of Info, Lean on Direction
Review: Though the book is packed with great ideas and plans on how to earn credits through distance learning and non-traditional means, "Bears" seems awash in a sea of conflict and never really takes the time to sort it all out for you. There are many "Best Case Scenarios" which tell of how some guy took ten placement tests in a day or how so-and-so tested out of enough courses to recieve a masters degree in a week, yet the day to day practicalities of distance learning are left largely to the imagination. This volume is a wealth of information, just not all the information you'll need. Shop around.
Rating: 
Summary: The complete and sincere guide
Review: Very interesting and complete contents. We feel in confidence with Mr. Bear word that represents years of experience. Ours was purchased last year and just finish to read it. We have contacted excellent schools thanks to Mr. Bear advice.
Rating:
Summary: Still the top authority on the subject
Review: When it comes to distance learning, whether completely off-campus or with short residency requirements, "Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning" is considered by many to be the authoritative text on the subject. There is good reason for this distinction and it is well deserved. In this 15th edition, Dr. John Bear has once again produced a voluminous text that includes every known program for distance learning. This includes not only programs in the United States but also Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries. It includes programs from strong, established and accredited schools, but also unaccredited schools. The text is very well organized so the reader can quickly and easily find the schools and programs that he or she is interested in. The coverage for each school is thorough and includes the complete school name, address, fields of study available by distance learning, contact information, a detailed description of the program, whether it is accredited by a recognized agency or a non-recognized agency, if it is equivalent to a degree mill, if it accepts other types of credits (such as CLEP exams or credit for life experience) and any other relevant information. Besides the information on the schools it also includes detailed discussions on accreditation, options, use of titles, honorary degrees and just about any question that you might have. Obviously Dr. Bear has taken note of questions that people have asked him over the years and included that information in the text so that it is much more than just a listing of schools and programs. Dr. John Bear has come through again with the most thorough and authoritative text available on the various distance learning programs available. This most current edition, like the others before it, is a highly recommended read for anyone wanting to pursue their education by distance learning and is the best text I have ever read on the subject.
Rating:
Summary: Still the top authority on the subject
Review: When it comes to distance learning, whether completely off-campus or with short residency requirements, "Bears' Guide to Earning Degrees by Distance Learning" is considered by many to be the authoritative text on the subject. There is good reason for this distinction and it is well deserved. In this 15th edition, Dr. John Bear has once again produced a voluminous text that includes every known program for distance learning. This includes not only programs in the United States but also Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries. It includes programs from strong, established and accredited schools, but also unaccredited schools. The text is very well organized so the reader can quickly and easily find the schools and programs that he or she is interested in. The coverage for each school is thorough and includes the complete school name, address, fields of study available by distance learning, contact information, a detailed description of the program, whether it is accredited by a recognized agency or a non-recognized agency, if it is equivalent to a degree mill, if it accepts other types of credits (such as CLEP exams or credit for life experience) and any other relevant information. Besides the information on the schools it also includes detailed discussions on accreditation, options, use of titles, honorary degrees and just about any question that you might have. Obviously Dr. Bear has taken note of questions that people have asked him over the years and included that information in the text so that it is much more than just a listing of schools and programs. Dr. John Bear has come through again with the most thorough and authoritative text available on the various distance learning programs available. This most current edition, like the others before it, is a highly recommended read for anyone wanting to pursue their education by distance learning and is the best text I have ever read on the subject.
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